Laura Sulivan's Milady is a delightfully robust and thought-provoking addition to Duma's Three Musketeers canon.. Told from Milady de Winters' POV,4.5

Laura Sulivan's Milady is a delightfully robust and thought-provoking addition to Duma's Three Musketeers canon.. Told from Milady de Winters' POV, Sullivan gives voice to the supposed villainess of the story, gifting her with a refreshing no-nonsense and firm unapologetic attitude as she weaves a compelling tale of love, loss, betrayal, and retribution as she forged her own path from the one that was forced upon her. Leaving little to the imagination, Milady verbally wipes the shine from Duma's darlings, giving readers a whole new outlook on the legends behind each Musketeer, Constance, the Cardinal, and most importantly, Athos....more

A laugh out loud short trip back to Lake Sackett as Margot and Kyle attempt to plan the wedding they want with plenty of unwanted and unneeded adviceA laugh out loud short trip back to Lake Sackett as Margot and Kyle attempt to plan the wedding they want with plenty of unwanted and unneeded advice from family, friends, and the occasional local....more

As Lyonesse is slowly being destroyed, it’s ruler, King Oberon, sleeps deep within his palacFavorite Quote: “It was good to be free. Good to be home.”

As Lyonesse is slowly being destroyed, it’s ruler, King Oberon, sleeps deep within his palace, the victim of an assassination attempt. His only chance at a cure comes in the form of the top Elder Race surgeon, Dr. Katheryn Shaw. When she arrives, her presence awakens him though he is no longer the man he was before. His only means of survival caused his emotions to be stripped from him. Now Katheryn must find a way to not only cure his body but also his soul. Because Queen Isabeau is coming to finish what she started and unless Oberon can come to care about Lyonese and his people again, it will fall forever.

The 3rd story in Harrison’s Moonshadow trilogy gives us King Oberon’s story and the final conclusion to the war between the Fae Courts. Set in the same world as her Elder Races series, the focus here is on the Fae demesnes and the ongoing war. Easily read as a standalone, you do not have to read the Elder Races to enjoy though I do recommend starting with book one of this trilogy-Moonshadow. If you have been following the series, you will remember that Oberon had vanished and Lyonesse has been shut off from the world by the Light Queen’s Hound-Morgan le Fae. Those who managed to escape are seen in book one, rallying for help while book two deals with Morgan Le Fae and his battle to escape Isabeau’s control.

Fans of the Elder Races, especially Dragos, will definitely love King Oberon (King of the Daoine Sidhe) who exhibits the same sense of power, arrogance, and all-encompassing passion. As old as Dragos, Oberon was celebrating the Winter Solace when Morgan le Fae bespelled him. Oberon was forced to put himself into a coma to save his life and the lives of those around him. Unfortunately, when he went to sleep, his power went unchecked and the city became a frozen tomb. When he realizes his domain has been breached, he awakens with a fury, seeking to destroy that which has dared to disturb him.

Pieces of dried fruit lay sprinkled over the trampled crimson-and-gold bedspread like confetti, and there was the sharp, aromatic scent of cheese. Curious, he pawed at a small, overturned tub. As he flipped it over, one of his claws sank into soft butter.

He licked it off as he took in other details. Amid the rubble was a fur-lined cloak and a strange piece of clothing that looked like a formfitting blue coat, and another odd, lightweight sheet of something that looked like metal but was pliable and made of a foreign substance he had never seen before.The interloper had planned a ravishment, and she had brought… snacks?

Dr. Kathyrn Shaw has been a mainstay throughout the Elder Races series. She has saved the day on multiple occasions and her assistance in Moonshadow opened the door to the fight that ends in here. One of the Wyn and trusted by the inner circle surrounding Dragos, she has the moxie and strength to hold her own against the bigger creatures who exist. Intelligent and witty, I found her calm demeanor, crisp mannerisms, and innovative ideas quite amusing as she pits herself against one of the most dangerous creatures in the demesnes.

Silkily, he asked, Cat got your tongue?

Very funny. Her grumpy mental voice sounded much better than her physical voice did. Okay, I apologize. I am so very sorry for what happened—

Come down here and face me properly, or are you too much of a coward to do so? He threw out the challenge carelessly. He had no real expectation she would comply. If they stood face-to-face and she was grounded from flight, he had no doubt he could easily destroy her.And she certainly didn’t seem to be motivated to continue the confrontation on the ground. Instead, she told him in a steady, crisp voice, Oberon, you’re going to die unless you consent to medical treatment.

That voice. That sounded exactly like the voice that had wound through his dreams, interrupting his nightmares of Isabeau. He snapped, I did not give you permission to address me by my name.

She retorted, I don’t really give a shit.

When Kathryn and Oberon come to an “understanding” the real work begins.

Harrison does an excellent job in here of not only expanding on the history and politics of the Fae courts without overburdening us with recaps and unnecessary information while slowly building a romance between two strong-willed people. Warriors who are honor bound to care for those around them. The enormity of their precarious situation is tempered by sharp wit and moments of compassion and sorrow. I love that Kathryn gives Oberon no quarter. She treats him like a patient and slaps him down when he gets a little too autocratic. She has served under Dragos for centuries…Oberon is a piece of cake.

“What other symptoms have you experienced since the attack?”[…]I remember having the emotions, but I no longer experience them. In fact, I only feel two things anymore: anger and lust.”

She stopped writing, suddenly inundated with the memory of yesterday’s encounter. The feeling of his mouth moving so urgently over hers as he speared her with his tongue. The delicious sense of weight as he shifted to lie on top of her, and the thick, heavy feeling of his erection pressing against her hip. For one shocking, mindless moment it had been glorious.

His voice sounded softly in her ear, deep and dark as the ocean and rough with the lion’s purr. “But I do feel anger and lust very deeply, Doctor.”

She had gotten so lost in her reverie she hadn’t noticed he had come around to her side of the desk, and she nearly leaped out of her skin. “For crying out loud, Oberon! Back up and give me some personal space!”

She listened to her own exclamation with deep dismay. That was supposed to have come out much more sharply than it had. Instead of sounding disapproving and offended, her voice had sounded as breathless as a gasp.

“Are you sure that’s what you really want?” Callused fingers traced the line of her jaw, down the side of her neck, and lightly pressed against the very spot where he had sucked so hungrily at her pulse. She remembered. Oh, she remembered it all too well. The shadow of his body fell over hers on the desk as he bent over her, and his lips brushed against the sensitive shell of her ear as he whispered, “Or wouldn’t you rather experiment with just how deep and hard my feelings can really go?”

Oberon had her rattled. He knew he did.

But suddenly she laughed, and the bright, carefree sound broke the sensual spell he had begun to weave over them both. “Did you really just say that to me? My lord, that line was bad.”

She wasn’t funny.

Though heavily driven, the strong narrative and steady bites of action and intrigue keep the storyline flowing at a brisk pace. Favorite characters from both series make appearances to this readers delight. I enjoy any interactions with Dragos and the New York demesne, especially when clues are given to what is coming new. We also meet back up with couples from books one and two. I was a little disappointed we did not see Queen Titania and Queen Tricks. As part of the fae demease, it was odd they weren’t a part of this trilogy. I especially loved the scenes with Robin aka Puck. Heartfelt, his journey has been a tough one and everything he went through to save his king was heart wrenching.

Your king is going to die unless something is done for him. Why didn’t you want to bring Annwyn and the troops with us?”

He stamped at the snow desultory. Other than tangling his mane and tail, the wind and the massive cold didn’t seem to affect him at all. “I wanted to judge you for myself while they weren’t around. If you were a threat, I would take care of you.” He looked at her sidelong to see how she took his words.

He might be old, unpredictable, and dangerous, but he had nothing on a cantankerous, bullheaded dragon. She said gently, “You were looking after your king.”

“He told me to guard his place and watch them. A long time ago, Isabeau took me and held me captive for years. I failed him once. I won’t fail him again.”

Lionheart leaves readers happy with it’s firm resolution to the main conflict yet just enough open to allow her back into this world again. As always, Harrison gives readers an adventure overflowing with action, suspense, humor, romance, and just enough tragedy to make the journey unforgettable.

Scott's Stage Dive series is a fav and she doesn't disappoint in this brief novella. While I enjoyed seeing another side to Martha and the band's eve Scott's Stage Dive series is a fav and she doesn't disappoint in this brief novella. While I enjoyed seeing another side to Martha and the band's ever-evolving and growing family-Mal as always steals the show. ...more

Delightfully charming and deliciously wicked, Singh outshines herself in her latest romance that examines the Indian tradition of arranged marriage and one couples’ determination to find a way to adhere to their culture without losing themselves in the process. Witty, bold and oh so sexy, Singh opens up for readers a colorful family-oriented culture rich in tradition as she introduces us to a hero and heroine for whom family is everything. Brimming with laughter and love, you can’t help but cheer for the stoic hero and his heroine who just want to be loved for who they are. Raj’s and Nayna’s families only serve to add more drama and laughter to the story as they go through their own personal upheavals from grandma stepping out and a wife wanting more of a partnership to a couple on the brink of divorce and one’s man’s taste of mortality. Rebel Hard is another winner in my book.

Nayna Sharma only agreed to her family’s offers of an arranged marriage in order to heal the cracks caused by her sister’s poor choices. In an attempt to regain control of her life, Nayna decides to be the bad girl for one night, she and a friend head to a party and she find her way into the arms of a ruggedly handsome stranger. Raj Sen agrees to allow his parents to arrange his marriage because he believes in tradition and rules. When he meets Nayna he is enchanted with her beauty but when he discovers she is his intended, he finds himself reluctantly falling in love with her maddening ways and lack of rules.

Neither is what the other one wants but sometimes what you want isn’t always what you need.

Fans have waited breathlessly for this installment in Callihan’s steamy and emotionally deep VIP series. Rich in sensory detail and boldly unapologetiFans have waited breathlessly for this installment in Callihan’s steamy and emotionally deep VIP series. Rich in sensory detail and boldly unapologetic, in Fall, Callihan tackles the serious issues of mental health, self-harm, depression, and abuse with compassion and a heavy dose of common sense while building a romance that brims with laughter and heart. Jax aka John Blackwell, lead singer for the band Kill John, has stood out throughout the series as his suicide attempt was the catalyst that flattened the emotional barriers of the other band members. Love, laughter, heartbreak, forgiveness, and healing are the themes of this love story that revolves around two people who have been essentially used and abandoned by those who should have known better. Strong narrative and compelling scenes keep the story moving at a steady base, allowing readers an intimate look at fame, family, and the demands placed by both. Stella and Jax are a delightful couple to watch fall into love though it is only the beginning of their journey towards happiness. Though some may find it triggering, Fall gives a seeming honest portrayal of life with depression and the trials and triumphs that can be had by all.

Jax is back in New York though he is still feeling off-kilter as his best friend is out of the country and he is soon to be trapped by a raging blizzard. A trip to the local market for supplies ends in stolen ice cream and a kiss that sets his soul on fire. Luckily, fate steps in and gives him a name to match the kissing ice cream stealing bandit-Stella. Stella is shocked when her inherited apartment goes condo and she is being kicked out with nowhere to go. Fate steps in again to offer her a job house sitting in a posh Manhatten condo that just happens to be next door to the stranger she kissed on a whim. As Stella and Jax spend more time together, the flames of their attraction build into something deeper and more addictive. But for two people who don’t believe in love or forever, falling for each other may take more trust than either can give.

Adele has come home for her father’s wedding after being exiled for making a pass at her friend, confidant, and father’s best friend. UncertaGrade: B-

Adele has come home for her father’s wedding after being exiled for making a pass at her friend, confidant, and father’s best friend. Uncertain about what’s going to happen when she sees her first love and crush, Peter, the man she never got over, she is unprepared to have to stay with him during her time in town. As she and Peter try to reconnect, all her old feeling come rushing back but Peter is still stuck on their age difference and treats her like the child she no longer is. When a series of events place them on the path to no return, Adele must ask herself if Peter is who she really wants and what happens if he says no again.

Kylie Scott’s latest is a humorous abet bittersweet contemporary that features a slow burn romance between a young woman and her father’s friend/employee. Told entirely from the heroine’s POV, Scott seamlessly blends the past and present to show us the emotional range of Adele’s crush and the power it has over her years later. Overflowing with strong women, witty dialogue, and some nice steamy sexual tension, I found myself laughing throughout the book. Adele is hilarious with her internal musings and snarky comebacks. A slew of secondary characters helps to round the story out and offer some much-needed lessons in life for Adele and Peter. My only true qualm about this story is the lack of Peter’s voice. Though you felt their connection, the story would have really benefited from his POV. I never was able to understand his reactions and the reasons behind them because everything we see is through Adele’s eyes. A fun and engaging story that left me satisfied overall but only because of the heroine and the amazing women who stood at her back....more

Favorite Quote: “I always sleep naked.”“Not with me you don’t.”“As this was the first time we slept together, I did not realize we had established proFavorite Quote: “I always sleep naked.”“Not with me you don’t.”“As this was the first time we slept together, I did not realize we had established protocol.”

Alyse Bell was sold into marriage when her father gave her to a friend in the hopes she would be protected after he passed away. Having reached her maturity, she is ready to start her future with her best friend who promised to come back and take her away. Only, he never arrives and her “husband” arranges for the auction to continue so he can marry another. As she stands on the auction block in the center of town, a rope around her neck like chattel and fuming in silence as she watches those she considers her friends and family bidding on her like a fatted calf, a handsome stranger rides into the square and places the winning bid.

Marcus Weatherton (The Scandal of it All) left London after discovering his stepmother was in love with his best friend and his fiancee dumped him for his illegitimate brother. Waking up in jail after an all-night bender, Marcus heads out of town out only to happen upon an auction where a young woman is being sold to the highest bidder. Shocked and outraged by the scene, Marcus intervenes only to discover he didn’t buy her freedom…he bought a wife.

Expecting gratitude, he instead gets attitude and decides to take her to his estate in Scotland and set her up as his housekeeper. But the road to redemption is long and a series of misadventures and close calls shows Marcus that life often gifts you with what you need when you least expect it.

Marcus, the fifth Duke of Autenberry, woke up with a startled jolt face-down in horse shit… So begins the third novel in Sophie Jordan’s Rogue Files series-The Duke Buys a Bride. Delightfully witty and overflowing with snark, guilt, pride, and sexual tension, Jordan writes a compelling and bittersweet story that addresses the lack of female agency and one man’s abrupt awakening to his own privilege. Laughter and a few heart-pinching moments firmly engages the reader as Jordan weaves an opposite attraction romance that delights and enchants from page one.

I love opposite attraction and marriages of convenience, especially when the couple are strong-willed, decidedly independent, and well versed in the art of witty repertoire. Alyce knows her place in the world and has accepted it for the time being because she’s always has a plan. When her plan falls through, she adjusts and adapts. Something women have been doing for ages. Married at a very young age, she was essentially a nanny to the older man’s children and a caretaker for him. It was a tolerable situation because Alyse knew it wouldn’t last forever. Having planned to marry her childhood sweetheart, she is once again denied her voice when he runs away, leaving her at the mercy of the town and her soon-no-to-be husband.

He was supposed to take her with him. He had promised they would begin a life together […] He had agreed. But he left. He had abandoned her. Left her to be auctioned off, sold to any man with the whim to buy her.

Purchased by a stranger, Alyse is determined to use her latest situation to her advantage as they head towards his estate. She attempts to engage Marcus only to find a stubborn, grumpy, and rather stinky man whose speech and carriage tell her he’s not from around there and of a much higher social setting.

“Where are you from?”A beat of silence passed before he answered. “England.”“Obviously.”[…]“I hear the highlands are lovely any time of year. I imagine covered in snow they are quite majestic.”At last, he asked in a wearied voice, “Do you plan to talk the entire journey?”“Have you an aversion to conversation, sir? We will be in each others company for a long time and I thought it might help.”“Help? With what? I don’t require pointless banter.”Pointless banter? She huffed out a foggy breath. The man did not win points for charm.

So begins their battle of wits.

Alyse and Marcus are an amusingly prickly couple, tossed together by circumstance. Alyse just wants the freedom long denied her and Marcus wants to be left alone to wallow in his misery. A reluctant hero, Marcus is caught between wanting to save the fair maiden but now that he has, he is unsure what to do with her. His own childhood and a series of blows he has suffered in London has left him weary and disillusioned. He denies the chemistry he feels between them, unable to accept this young woman may be his destiny. Alyse herself has no illusions about Marcus or even romance in general. She has been disappointed so many times. She knows she is not for him and is put out when he cleans up and she can see exactly who he is.

Dear God. This was the man who bought her. Her employer. He’d bathed, shaved, and was positily transformed. He was…beautiful. No, no, no, no. He could not be this. He could not look like this. She could not be stuck with…this.

A series of mishaps follow them on their way to his estate; from sickness to kidnapping, they push their way forward. Marcus fluctuates between bemoaning his situation to worrying about her every step of the way. He repeatedly finds himself in compromising situations with her only to back away and cry foul. He refuses to legitimize their marriage, though when she is abducted, he discovers he cannot live let her go. She has become more than a duty…a burden. She had become a person he cared about.

Their first night together he had simply climbed into bed with her, giving her little thought. Them she was nothing more than a woman he had bought at auction. Someone he had taken pity on and helped through a difficult time.

Now she was something more.

No longer a stranger.

An eclectic cast of secondary characters gives the book some depth and provides amusement. I enjoyed seeing Marcus’ brother and his wife. Alyse’s friend/stepdaughter Nellie was a fierce one and I loved her protective nature. Some minor issues left me a little berate though didn’t spoil my overall enjoyment. I do wish the focus hadn’t been totally on just this couple. I would have enjoyed seeing some resolution from what happened in London though Jordan hints at some reconciliation on that front while preparing the way for the next book concerning Marcus’s sister.

The Duke Buys A Bride is another grand adventure from Sophie Jordan and an entertaining addition to this series.

How are we at book 13 1/2 already? Lordy. I feel old. lol Well, the day has come that fans have been waiting on…Merit and Ethan’s bundle of unexpectedHow are we at book 13 1/2 already? Lordy. I feel old. lol Well, the day has come that fans have been waiting on…Merit and Ethan’s bundle of unexpected joy is about to arrive. However, Merit wouldn’t be Merit unless there was a little drama, mystery, and arse kicking in her journey towards motherhood. As Cadogan House prepares for their princess to arrive, an attempted kidnapping send the house and Ethan into overprotective mode and shows one house member that if she wants a future then she needs to take care of her past.

Bridging the way between the Chicagoland Vampire series and the start to her new series, the Heirs of Chicagoland, this short novella packs a punch with a few laughs and lots of love when the very pregnant Merit is almost kidnapped on her usual walkabout. Drama driven, it’s like coming home as the gang all chip in to discover the culprit while Neill drops hints to what is coming for the House and various friends. A secondary romance comes to fruition as Neill leaves us with assurances that no matter what is in store for these characters, their next adventure is just beginning. Grade: B...more

I have been waiting for Stevie's story since book one. As always, Laureston brings the goods with plenty of outrageous scenarios, a reluctant4.5 Stars

I have been waiting for Stevie's story since book one. As always, Laureston brings the goods with plenty of outrageous scenarios, a reluctant hero, a high strung heroine, and a plethora of family, friends, and enemies whose antics only serve to keep you in stitches as she builds a romance amongst the chaos of this world. Fans will love the effortless blending of various other series as Laurenston widens the arc while working her magic on various ongoing threads and subplots. Another winner from the Queen of paranormal mayhem....more

B+ A deliciously sexy and amusing tale of mistaken identity, family, and first love when a clock setter finds herself teaching two young orphans and tB+ A deliciously sexy and amusing tale of mistaken identity, family, and first love when a clock setter finds herself teaching two young orphans and trying desperately not to fall for their delectable guardian. ...more

Susan Wiggs celebrates the love, loss, hope, and family in her newest releasA charming story that speaks of love, loss, hope, and the family.

Grade: B+

Susan Wiggs celebrates the love, loss, hope, and family in her newest release of a man and women who meet under terrible circumstances and through that forge a bond that strengthens while eventually forcing them apart. Emotionally honest and poignant with a delightful thread of humor running through it, Between you and Me introduces us to Caleb Stolz and Dr. Reese Strauss. Told in alternating POVs, Wiggs builds a sweet and witty romance around a experience with them the ups and downs of falling in love as religion, lifestyles, and family try to pull them apart.

Caleb turned his back on his Amish upbringing until his brother’s death brought him home to raise his niece and nephew. The victim of an abusive home and still keeping one foot in the English world, when Caleb’s nephew is hurt badly in a farming accident, Caleb has no qualms with taking him to the hospital for care. Reese is a resident whose uber famous parents have all but decided her career path though lately, she has been wishing for something more. Meeting Caleb opens her eyes to a whole new world and she fully embraces the opportunity to learn more about the Amish and him. The closer Reese and Caleb grow, the harder it is to keep their boundaries in place. And when one of them goes too far, the price for redemption may be to much to pay....more

Favorite Quote: “As long as you stay here, you have a home. I’ll never abandon you.”

Hugh d’Ambray has been cut loose by his master and pseudo-father,Favorite Quote: “As long as you stay here, you have a home. I’ll never abandon you.”

Hugh d’Ambray has been cut loose by his master and pseudo-father, Roland. He wallows in the booze until his will to live and need to save his people overrides his death wish. With no money, shelter, or weapons, the Iron Dogs have no hope of surviving the necromancers that are gunning for them. Until his advisor approaches him with a proposition. A marriage of convenience to one they call the White Lady.

Elara Harper just wants to keep her people safe. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Elara knows there is a war coming and they are right in the middle of it. She needs help and if she has to make a deal with the devil to get one…then so be it.

Hugh needs a home. Elara needs a weapon. And they need to make this relationship as believable as possible if they want to survive what’s coming for them.

Sometimes the devil is in the details.

Iron and Magic, first in the Iron Covenant trilogy, spins off the Kate Daniels series and runs concurrently with book 9 in the KD world-Magic Binds. Hugh d’Ambray has been disavowed by Roland and he and his people are being hunted down and killed by Landon Nez, Roland’s Necromancer. Hugh needs a miracle and it comes in the form of a witch whose own reputation is as sketchy as Hugh’s.

I will be the first to admit I was skeptical when I first heard this story idea. Anyone can write a story of redemption, the trick is not only making the redeeming believable but getting your readers to buy it. Hugh D’Ambray; Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, Nemesis to Kate Danials, has to be one of urban fantasy’s top unredeemable men. First seen in book 3-Magic Strikes, he reappears like a bad penny in Magic Rises and Magic Breaks. Rescued by Roland as a child and trained by Voron, Hugh has strength, power, skill, and an unimaginable ego that Kate has repeatedly trampled on. He has committed some unspeakable acts against Kate, Curren, and their friends and his jealousy of Kate and what she represents is what got him in the mess he’s in now.

“You’ve failed me, Hugh. I have no further use for you.”

The prologue offers us a look into Hugh’s backstory. We learn why he worshipped Roland and blindly followed his lead. We see what led to his downfall and then the story begins with how he has chosen to survive. Is this a story of redemption? No. I think it is more of a rebuilding. Hugh d’Ambray has had his entire life ripped from him. He has hit rock bottom and now must crawl up and out of his hole to keep promises he hs made.

“The bottle of moonshine called to him. He didn’t have to turn around to know exactly where it was, tempting him to do what severed limbs did-wither and rot. And while he rotted, his people would die one by one. No. No, he owned Nez a debt. He was Hugh d’Ambray. Preceptor of the Iron Dogs. The Dogs paid their debts.”

Hugh needs a miracle…and her name is Elara Harper.

“Who will I be marrying?”“The White Warlock.”“You want me to marry a man?”

Elara is an Andrews heroine through and through. Strong, bold, opinionated, powerful, kick arse, and untrusting. Considered an abomination by some and a God by others, she is responsible for hundreds and takes that very seriously. Living in an old castle on an estate smack dab between Roland and Kate’s power bases, Elara knows what is coming and knows the humans under her care will not survive these two heavyweights. A witch of unimaginable power, she is the monster under the bed…the bogeyman used to scare little kids into being good. While she does have a moral code of sorts, it revolves around those under her care. She is a wild card in this series and I am more than ready to discover everything about her.

“She had to teach d’Ambray who she was. The White Warlock. Unclean. Cursed. An abomination. They would come to this meeting tables as equals, and if they chose an alliance, she had to make sure they left as equals.”

I loved Hugh and Elara and I appreciated the care taken to develop them as individuals and a couple. I didn’t come into this story expecting Kate and Curren 2.0 and I was pleased care was taken to make sure there would be no mistaking this couple for anyone but themselves. The old saying, “God made then and the Devil matched them,” describes them perfectly. A relationship built on antagonism and lots of snark, I laughed so hard as this couple bickered, threatened, fought, insulted, and demanded concessions from one another. Elara and Hugh are a lot alike in that their loyalty can be deadly and they will do what it takes to survive. This couple will burn down the world and everyone in it who stands between them and their loved ones. No self-sacrifice in their make up.

Their evolution from strangers to friends is slow and well worth the wait. Both have been betrayed by those they cared for; tossed aside and threatened for their gifts. They have…issues and enough baggage to stock a Samsonite store. The sexual tension is quite intense and the one small sex scene is perfect in its resolve to stay true to this couple’s nature.

Some new and some very familiar faces are seen here as Hugh and Elara prepare for Nez and eventually Roland. I enjoyed meeting the Iron Dogs and seeing them as people with their own hopes, dreams, and desires. Elara’s people are just as interesting and look forward to learning more about their own gifts. Though Kate and Curren are referenced multiple times, we don’t see them. This is not their story. Color me surprised when Raphael and Andrea pay an unexpected visit to the castle. We even get a visit from Roland though it did NOT go the way he planned. *fist pump* I can’t wait for Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels series) and the next book in this series.

I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!

Once again, Ilona Andrews have used their powers for good and wrote a story that is what Urban Fantasy strives to be. Action packed with intrigue, suspense, adventure, danger, laughter, sadness, and a cast of characters whose energy and spirit drags you right along with them as they prime their swords and sharpen their tongues for the next battle.

Felicity Fairclot'sh fall from grace has left her and hFavorite Quote: “The darkness has always tempted her. The locks. The barriers. The Impossible.”

Felicity Fairclot'sh fall from grace has left her and her family in a pickle. From her unfortunate discovery in a man’s bedchamber to her involvement with a married man, Felicity has lost her friends and her social standing, becoming yet another flower on the wall. When anger and pain have her telling a whopper of a lie, she finds herself a pawn in a dangerous game of revenge when she is forced to deal with the devil for her sins. But Felicity has plans of her own and soon decides tis better to rule in Hell than to serve Heaven. Now she just needs to convince her devil of that.

Once again Sarah MacLean crafts a delightful romance overflowing with laughter, adventure, intrigue and glorious sexual tension. Faithful readers will remember Felicity Faircloth from The Day of the Duchess (#3 in Scandals & Scoundrels series). Witty, intelligent, and quick on her feet, Felicity is a delight and I found myself utterly enchanted as she struggles to extract herself from yet another mess and is forced to deal with a man that not only understands her…but accepts her for who she is. She wants marriage and a family but only with love.

The Devil himself (the illegitimate son of a Duke and the King of London’s underground) has a troubled past and it colors his perceptions of people and romance. His reputation is hard won and he wields it like a sword. His insults and slights towards Felicity are countermanded by his overwhelming need to protective her-especially from himself.

“Lock this door behind me. You wouldn’t want a nefarious character coming in while you are asleep.”

“Locks didn’t keep the first nefarious character out of my room tonight.”

Sparkling chemistry sets off a game of wit between this strong-willed couple. It slowly burns only to blaze up as their attraction catches fire. The more time they spend together, their attraction for one another intensifies but Felicity must use all her skills to convince Devil they have a chance if he is willing to let go of his need for revenge. Emotions run high and the sexual tension is delicious as MacLean leads us towards the conclusion.

A dynamic set of secondary characters help to elevate and push the romance. Devil’s backstory includes three other people whose stories will come in the future though MacLean does dole out clues, hinting at what is to come. Felicity’s relationship with her brother and mother is so much fun. You can feel their love for one another in their lively banter.

“Oh, please. I told a tiny lie. […] Plenty of people have done far more outrageous things. It’s not as though I took up work in a bordello.”

“A tiny lie? And you shouldn’t even know the world bordello.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“I suppose you think that it isn’t proper, me knowing the word bordello.”

“I don’t think. And stop saying bordello.”

The ending is predictable though the hero’s grovel and the heroine’s insistence on saving herself and her man left me clapping my hands in excitement. A short sweet epilogue lets us know how our couple and other characters are doing. Another sure-fire winner for MacLean. I am looking forward to the second book in this series-Brazen and the Beast-set to release June 25, 2019

Gin Blanco, restauranteur and Ashland’s latest boss of its underworld, is shocked when Stuart Mosley, Finn’s boss, and Gin’s friend, is assaulted and almost kidnapped. Between parties and date night with Owen, Gin’s investigation a new player in town who has a bone to pick with Gin. Vampire Alanna Eaton has come back to Ashland to buy back the family estate and pay Gin back for the murder of her mother, Amelia. A member of The Circle like her mother, Alanna has resources galore at her back and a reputation for a killer bite but so does Gin and when push comes to shove, Gin proves that the venom in her bite is deadly.

Jennifer Estep’s deadliest assassin is back and once again must use her skills to protect a friend in the 17th installment; Venom in the Veins. Set in the small town of Asheville, North Carolina, Gin aka The Spider, a former assassin for hire turned queen of the underworld, has experienced multiple changes since the beginning. A former loner who was an assassin by night and restaurant owner by day, Gin’s alter ego is now out in the open and she is surrounded by friends, family, and a lover. When her favorite banker is attacked, Gin must search her past to find answers. Solid world building and a well-established character base have left the bulk of entertainment to the plotlines, but I fear the time has come to Estep to wrap it up. The feeling of deja vu is strong as we follow a familiar path and watch Gin once again fight a new enemy for things she has done in the past. The push on the arc was welcomed and I like that Estep is still able to surprise me with the actions of a longtime antagonist. While I enjoy this series overall for its female-centric arc, I’m ready for the final battle between Gin and the Circle.

Everyone knows the story of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. The poor little orphan who fell in love with the tortured Mr. Rochester and eventuaGrade: B

Everyone knows the story of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. The poor little orphan who fell in love with the tortured Mr. Rochester and eventually got her happily ever after. Or do they? What if Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte were besties and got involved with a ghost hunting society? What if Mr. Rochester isn’t Eyre’s destiny but something quite bigger? What if the story we all know so well never happened? Cynthia Hand asks that in more in her whimsical reimagining of Jane Eyre. Using Jane Eyre as the main focus with various other classics, Hand creates a piece of comedic historical fiction that will leave you giggling as she leads you down the rabbit hole to gothic Victorian London.

Jane and Charlotte were raised in a school for the poor together though Jane is a few years older. Able to see and commune with the dead and fearing the consequences from that, Jane leaves the school, having accepted a governess’ position in the mysterious Mr. Rochester’s home. Oh yes, let’s not forget her trusty companion, Helen, who is a ghost, tags along with her. Alexander Blackwood is a ghost hunter for the crown. Alex uses his career to get rid of ghosts while searching for his father’s killer. Having seen Jane’s gift, Alex, along with Charlotte and her brother, head to her new job to offer her a job hunting ghosts with him. Adventures Ahoy, the wit and snark are a joy to behold as you watch this foursome attempt to navigate high society while trying to discover who is haunting Mr. Rochester and convince Jane to come home with them. I adored them all through the story and love how Hand managed to incorporate just enough bits and pieces from the original tale to keep you on track while allowing her imagination free rein. I am looking forward to book three of the series....more

Fans of subversive fairytales will love the twists and turns Sharp imagines into her version of Cinderella. Witches, stepsisters, curses, prostitutesFans of subversive fairytales will love the twists and turns Sharp imagines into her version of Cinderella. Witches, stepsisters, curses, prostitutes and some borrowed elements from other fairytales creates a story that is brimming with action, suspense, humor, romance, and a huge dose of feminism. I look forward to reading more from Sharpe in the future. ...more

Favorite Quote: He smelled like an invitation to sex and tasted like candy. Good Lord but that man knew how to kiss.

Hope Donnigan is finally getting her life together. She has a job she enjoys, good friends, and is taking a break from all the Mr. Wrongs in her life. Unfortunately, her mother is determined to fix Hope’s life, despite what Hope wants. When her mother’s interference goes to far, Hope tells her she is already dating the perfect guy for her. Now, she just needs to find him.

J.T Webster has crushed on Hope Donnigan since meeting her at his sister’s wedding. When she asks for his help to get her mother off her back, J.T. jumps at the chance to spend more time with her. Not looking for anything serious, a fake relationship with benefits sounds like the best of both worlds. Except, now he wants to make it real.

“You shine when you’re happy, you know? It’s like you bring out the sun, and I get all warm, basking in you.”

Marie Harte has become my go-to author for blue collar romances with heroines and heroes who live, laugh, and love hard. Humorous, playful, and sensual; her deceptive small-town romances start out with a casual air of a lightweight contemporary only to deepen into a weighty story of love and growth as Harte digs deep into the lives and insecurities of our hero and heroine. Using issues that readers can relate to, Harte builds a hot and steamy romance that blends perfectly with the world she has created. Every series mildly interacts with the others, keeping readers in the loop while introducing new characters and scenarios.

Heavily character driven, this family oriented installment is firmly built around our protagonists, Hope Donnigan and J.T. Webster. I haven’t read the first two books in the Donnigan series but I am well acquainted with the McCauleys and Websters. I was so happy to see J.T finally get his story. His deep love for his family solidified his permanent position on my book boyfriend list. Likened to “the Rock” in terms of looks and brawn, J.T. is a sexy tattoo artist whose legendary antics aren’t as scandalous as his sister likes to think. Charming, witty, and gorgeous, his smooth moves hide a heart of gold. A serial dater, he just likes to have fun and isn’t looking to play house with anyone in the future.

Hope looks like the girl next door but can go bad when necessary. A blonde bombshell, she just wants to find her dream guy with the option for kids in the future. Having spent a long time looking for love in all the wrong places, Hope is finally settling down though not in the direction her family wants which is causing a lot of friction.

Fake relationships can be tricky. You have to not only make the reasoning behind it viable but produce just enough chemistry to catapult it from fake to real while allowing the characters to grow and work through their issues at a reasonable pace. J.T. and Hope are the most adorable lovey-dovey fake couple ever. Though seemingly very different on the outside, their similarities become glaringly apparent as the story reveals. I love watching them go out on “not dates” and slowly fall in love as they get to really know one another; despite their insistence that neither was looking for anything permanent. Witty conversation and internal musings reveal their attraction to one another and open the doorway for a much deeper connection.

“We used to joke around, pretend that we weren’t as close as we really are. You see, when you’re new to falling in love, it’s scary to let yourself be vulnerable with another person.”

As always, Harte does a wonderful job of building the romance amongst the backdrop of our couples personal issues. The humor flows through effortlessly; helping to keep the story on track and provide entertainment. Harte takes her time addressing the issues and providing legitimate results. It’s an emotional journey for them both of them and nothing is guaranteed. J.T. uplifts Hope by showing her he likes her just the way she is while Hope shows J.T. relationships don’t have to be destructive and he is worthy of love and Their smoking hot chemistry is felt from page one and Harte amps up the heat with plenty of sex and dirty talk. I like a couple who are well matched in bed and who enjoy sex and aren’t afraid to let the neighbors know. :) J.T. has a very talented mouth and uses it on Hope on every chance he gets.

“Lay back in bed and spread those pretty thighs. We have a lot of no-sex to get to.”

The McCauleys, Websters, and Donnigans are out in full force as they offer advice, threats, and the occasional insult to our couple and each other. All their energy and enthusiasm adds to the story’s appeal as they keep you giggling with their antics. I loved meeting J.T.’s employees and of course, seeing more of Liam and Del. Colin is always a treat and thank goodness Rena and Heller seem to be moving forward. I hope they get their story soon. I wasn’t as enamored with Hope’s family but maybe they will grow on me.

As always, Harte delivers what she promises romance wise though the supposed suspenseful conflict fell flat and added nothing to the story. Regardless, I’m looking forward to reading more about this melting pot of families and friends in the future.

Once again Patricia Briggs brings her A-game when Charles Anna are forced to defend the pack from a dangerous threat determined to destroy them all. BOnce again Patricia Briggs brings her A-game when Charles Anna are forced to defend the pack from a dangerous threat determined to destroy them all. Bold, unapologetic, and brimming with action and suspense, Burn Bright blows open some long-simmering storylines as it propels the arc to new fantastical heights.

When Rachel Chu’s boyfriend, Nicolas Young invites her to spend the summer in Singapore, she never expected to discover her boyfriend is A. iGrade: B+

When Rachel Chu’s boyfriend, Nicolas Young invites her to spend the summer in Singapore, she never expected to discover her boyfriend is A. is ridiculously rich, B. his ancestral home looks like an actual palace, and C. he is Asia’s most eligible bachelor. Now she must not only find a way to reconcile her Nick with the one he really is, she must also find a way to win over his family and friends before the proposal that hasn’t happened never does.

Kevin Kwan hits all the right buttons with his satirical look at the lifestyles of the rich and crazy as he takes readers on a deliciously decadent journey of the top families who rule Asia’s wealth. Wicked humor and biting narrative will keep you in tears as one couple attempts to fight their way to acceptance from family and friends. An interesting take on Pride and Prejudice, Kwan explores the various relationships we have with family, friends, lovers, and professional colleagues, and the problems that can arise when one deviates from the expected path. I’m more than ready for book 2, China Rich Girlfriend.

When William Moore, a sweet and quiet pro rugby player from America, is discovered to be a voyeur, the tabloids have a field day with him. Labeled a pervert and worse, the team decides some PR is needed and Willam agrees to a live-in companion to help him break his need to watch (consensual) couples having sex. Josey Kavanaugh has just learned her parents have lost their life savings in an investment scheme and have to move…and they don’t want her moving with them. Currently enrolled in school with no job, she goes to live temporarily with her bestie though her natural exuberance leaves a lot to be desired. When she agrees to act as a varlet for Willam, the sparks fly though it will take more than that to convince this couple they are each worth loving.

Humor and sex go hand in hand as Cosway and Reid’s latest adventure in their best-selling Rugby series pits a quiet clean cut rugby player with an obnoxious young woman who is homeless. Awkwardly charming with some intense sexual tension, this delightful no strings sex to romance blends a comedy of errors theme with the serious undertones of kink shaming, fear of commitment, and feelings of inadequacy. A familiar cast of characters offers more laughter and some much-needed advice when this relationship seeps beyond the agreed upon boundaries and each have trouble believing in the other’s intentions.

I absolutely adored William. Quiet and shy, he flies his freak flag high and proud in the bedroom. A bad relationship when he was younger left him unwilling to entertain dating unless he is sure it will lead to something serious. Josey was funny but annoying at the same time. I liked her better in her own story because we were able to see the “why” behind some of her actions. Lack of impulse control is a huge problem of hers. Regardless, she is a good match for him. Loud and socially awkward, she more than learned her lesson about judging people and finds William’s need to watch more a control issue. He sees her social awkwardness as charming and she loves how deeply he feels. My only qualm was Josey’s lack of redemption. Fans may remember Josey from book four when she took it upon herself to make some decisions for her bestie, causing even more problems. Though Eli forgave Josey in book 4, I felt her behavior was glossed over in here.

Favorite Quote: “I know how to be Catalina Baylor, an ordinary person. I know what’s expected of me. I do not know how to be a Prime.”

Nevada Baylor aFavorite Quote: “I know how to be Catalina Baylor, an ordinary person. I know what’s expected of me. I do not know how to be a Prime.”

Nevada Baylor and Connor Ander Rogen are getting married and both families are ready to lend a hand in helping this couple tie the knot with no problems.

That’s easier said than done.

Catalina Baylor is at a crossroads since her power was outed to the world when she was declared a prime. Choosing to focus on her sister’s upcoming nuptials rather than her slowly imploding life, Catalina finds herself forced to once again use her powers when it becomes obvious that certain someone(s) want to stop the wedding no matter the cost.

As Catalina digs deeper into her investigation, she learns that jealousy is a powerful magic all it’s own but she is a Baylor and her sister will marry her Prince Charming if Catalina has anything to say about it.

Diamond Fire is a novella that picks up right after book three. It focuses on Catalina, Nevada’s sister, and a very rare Siren, building a bridge for the next full novel that is her journey. Catalina has been struggling with accepting her magic and the consequences of it since birth. If you are a Kate Daniels fan, you will recognize a similar element in that storyline. According to Greek mythology, Sirens are creatures who used their voices to lure sailors into crashing their ships upon the rocks of their island. Catalina’s life has been somewhat unconventional as she was only allowed interaction with people who were immune to her gift. Now older and more in control, she is able to turn it on and off at will. That, however, doesn’t negate its impact or her own feelings towards it.

“I had practiced controlling my magic since the moment I understood it ruined lives.”

Fast pacing propels the full-bodied storyline along. Witty dialogue and lots of action adds to the story’s overall appeal. I had so much fun reading this novella. I adored getting Catalina’s pov. A sweet teenager who just wants to be ‘normal’ in a family that is anything but. Intelligent and quiet, she isn’t a roll with it kinda girl. She needs rules to feel safe and being a Prime means she needs to learn a whole new set. She has a little bit of all her family in her, though it only shows when she has hit her breaking point. A tight-knit family, the Baylor’s are always there for one another. Through the good…and bad. Co-opted into helping plan Nevada’s wedding, you can’t help but laugh as she and her younger sister, Arabella, attempt to maneuver and manipulate Nevada when she becomes a little to bridezilla for them.

“The queen has dismissed us, “ Arabella announced.

I dropped into a deep curtsey. “Your majesty.”

“I hate you guys.”

“We hate you back,” Arabella told her.

“We hated you before the wedding.”

“Before it was cool to hate you.”

“Get out!” Nevada growled.

A theft and manipulative relatives lead Catalina on a merry chase and forcing her to confront all her fears. But luckily for her, she has more than the Baylor’s on her side this time. She now has the Rogan’s and no one crosses that family and survives.

Grade: A

***Smexybooks is giving away 1 copy of Diamond Fire. One lucky commenter to win. End 11/2.**

Favorite Quote:“Love is sending someone away because you would rather hurt than hurt them. Love is fighting beside them, bleeding along with them and putting their well-being above your own. Love is trembling at their touch so much that you do not notice that they are trembling at yours.”

“I’m not trembling.”

“I am,” he whispered and kissed me.

Reviewed by Tori

Dorina Basarab is a dhampir–half-human, half-vampire. As one of the Vampire Senate’s newest members, Dory already has a lot on her plate. But then a relative of one of Dory’s fey friends goes missing. They fear he’s been sold to a slaver who arranges fights–sometimes to the death–between different types of fey.

As Dory investigates, she and her friends learn the slavers are into something much bigger than a fight club. With the Vampire Senate gearing up for war with Faerie, it’ll take everything she has to defeat the slavers–and deal with the entirely too attractive master vampire Louis-Cesare…. (Goodreads)

Dory is once again tossed into the fray with little more than a prayer and some help from her friends. Currently living with her bestie Cassie who has her own issues, Dory is experiencing more activity from her twin, Dorina, the dhampir side of her personality. The increasing flashbacks and blackouts have Dory scared that Dorina will eventually take over her body. She is also helping Olga and the other trolls find the slavers and rescue Olga’s nephew while trying to stay alive since being “elected” to the North American Vampire Senate and keep her lover, Louis-Cesare, a master vampire and fellow senator, safe from her craziness.

“Why are you here?” I asked wearily, looking up at him. “Why wouldn’t I be?”“Because, when you hitched your wagon to the crazy, it wasn’t this crazy?”

For those not familiar with this series, it is a spin-off of Karen Chance’s Cassie Palmer series. This series revolves around Dorina (Dory) Bashabas who is a dhampir and the daughter of Mircea; a significant player in the Palmer series. I have been a long time fan of this series and have waited six years for this novel. Having not read the novella in between books 3 & 4, I left off after Fury’s Kiss and wow what a ride THAT was. As always, Chance jam packs her novel with action, suspense, intrigue, and violence while softening the never-ending blows with plenty of humor, wit, and some very nice romance scenes. It starts out with a bang and you are forced to hold on for dear life. Some may find the pacing slightly chaotic as we not only see Dory’s POV as expected but we also experience scenes from Dorina’s POV and are gifted with scenes from the past that highlight Dorina’s father’s actions- a nice addition because it goes far in explaining what happened to lead Dorina and Dory to this point. Dory is fighting on multiple fronts and she is tired and scared. Scared of losing her friends, family, lover…and now herself.

“Someday she would take over…then what would happen to me?”

I love Dorina. She is the definition of Urban Fantasy. Strong, snarky, vulnerable, and over 500 years old, she is the bogeyman that vampires fear. Born to a master manipulator who was cursed into being a vampire by a witch, she was ignored by her father for safety purposes and used by the Vampire Senate for centuries. Stronger and more secure in her life, Dory is slowing coming into her own and has enough powerful friends that any attempts to harm her will bring about serious consequences.

“What did you do to my car?” Blondie demanded, from the driver’s seat.“Is there a problem?”“You know damned well there’s a problem! It won’t go!”Purple Hair didn’t say anything, just stood there, all daytime dominatrix in black leather jeans and jacket, and a low-cut silk shirt the same shade as her hair. She checked me out, in my ratty sweats, and her eyes narrowed in judgment.Or, you know, because I hadn’t bothered to arm myself, and she was wondering why.“That’s a shame,” I said, glancing at Claire, who had come out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a flour-dusted apron. “I wonder what’s wrong with it.”Claire just smiled. It wasn’t a particularly nice expression. But Blondie didn’t seem to notice. “Damn it! This is brand-new,” he told us furiously. “If you’ve fucked it up—”A scaly arm reached through the window and jerked him out because Claire was suddenly beside the car. I blinked. I hadn’t even seen her move.I guess the vamps hadn’t, either. Because Purple Hair’s hand twitched, in the general direction of her jacket. I tensed, prepared to jump her, but she paused the action, probably realizing that she was about to make things worse.She had no idea.So both of us just stood there, watching Blondie kick his heels several inches off the ground because Claire is a tall drink of water. One who suddenly had a wealth of iridescent purple scales covering one arm. And three-inch talons, shading from black to maroon to milky white, on the newly armored hand.[…]“My car now.”After a moment, Purple Hair looked at me. “The car we wrecked. It was hers?”I nodded.“Ah.” She looked at Claire. “Your car now.”

Vampire politics and fairy tales make for strange bedfellows and this book pounds that point home. The past features heavily in here; from the decisions Mircea made to try and save Dory’s life when she was a child to the ongoing war between the species and a long forgotten fae legend. All of it running together, flirting with one another until they collide with a bang, leaving Dory with an impossible decision to make.

Lots of new faces and old ones keep the story from becoming too bogged down. I found myself laughing at most of their antics. Ray, one of my favorite characters and Dory’s sidekick of sorts features heavily in here. He sees Dory as his new master and nothing will deter him from his new position.

“What?” he demanded.“You’re as much as a trainwreck as I am. And soon as the war’s over, someone else will have my seat anyway. You think they’re going to keep a dhampir on the Senate one second longer then they have to?”“Well, not with that attitude.”

Cassie remains an integral part of Dory’s life. As her bestie and a magical null who helps to keep Dory’s psychotic nature in check calm, she remains a constant but her own dual nature is beginning to show itself in some interesting ways. I can’t wait to see where this plot line goes. Olga and her boys are a hoot and definitely the muscle Dory needs. Meeting Dorina was a highlight of the book. Always there but never heard or seen, tucked away like a bad secret, it was enlightening to see things from her perspective. I found her scenes bittersweet as she tries to find her own footing as she tries to make Dory understand what is really happening while doing what she can, in her own homicidal way, to keep Dory safe.

… there’s a truth about pain that most people never learn unless they’re really unlucky. Or really long-lived, long enough to have felt almost every kind there is. Pain has a signature to it, a type, a song. The first time you experience a new one, it’s a bright, white-hot, cutting edge; or a searing, brain-twisting burn; or a shattering, soul-crushing thud; or any of the thousand other forms it takes to torment you.

But the second time? Or the third? Or the fiftieth? No. It’s still terrible, still rage inducing, still debilitating, but it’s not the same shock as at first. You know this song, all its terrible highs, and dismal lows; you can hum it with your eyes closed because it’s just that familiar. Not like a friend—never that—but like an old enemy you’ve grown to know as well as to hate, his weapons and his limits.

You know what he can do to you.

But you also know what he can’t.

As for Mircea…it’s a love/hate relationship. You’ve no doubt he loves Dory; he sacrificed much to obtain the means to save her life. But as always, there is a price to pay whenever he helps and unfortunately, Dory always seem to be the one who pays it. He’s a meddlesome dad who happens to be immortal. OY VEY. The real treat though, as always, was the time spent with Louis-Cesere. A Disney-esque prince (Dory’s own words) who is strong, intelligent, battle fierce and deeply in love with her and she can’t seem to accept it or understand why. But she is beginning to. There are some gauntlets they have to run and some issues that must be dealt with eventually but in the end, love triumphs and alls well that ends well.

“…when you’re part of someone else, you don’t get to make that call,” I told him quietly.And then felt like cursing, because the damned man still didn’t get it.I could see it in those shimmering blue eyes: confusion, awkwardness, more than a little fear. He, who wasn’t afraid of anything, was afraid of this. Of me. Of being sent away.And there was one really good way to solve that problem, wasn’t there?I felt my fangs pop. “I’m proprietorial about my things,” I snarled and bit him.

Favorite Quote: “I’ve been waiting for you to come home for eleven years. I’ll go anywhere with you.”

Second chances in life are rare and when they are offered, some people are unable to grab hold out of fear while others seize the moment and pray that this time it all goes right. Love and Other Words is about a couple who are offered a second chance and the young woman who must climb out of her shell and brave her fears if she wants the love of her life to stay this time.

Macy Sorenson once loved the boy next door with everything in her heart…until he shattered it into a million unforgiving pieces. Now years later, Macy has moved on to a career in medicine and is getting ready to marry. When she runs into her former best friend and first love, she is unprepared for the onslaught of joy and pain that envelops her and her carefully constructed orderly world begins to fall apart.

Elliot Petropoulos never knew why Macy disappeared after he announced his love for her but he is determined to find out why. And when he does, he will have to step out of his own memories and pain to face head on what happened and convince Macy that their love is still worth fighting for.

Love and Other Words is a literary feast that delighted me from start to finish. Alternating between the past and present, we are given front row seats to this couples’ relationship starting at age fourteen. Told completely from Macy’s point of view, in this poignant and well-narrated journey we witness a young girl’s evolution from child to a woman as she experiences life, death, love, loss, friendship, betrayal, and eventually forgiveness. Full of heart and soul, Lauren weaves their magic and creates a bond between Macy and the reader, calling upon our own experiences and memories to further enhance the story. Though formulaic in its overall set up and a bit emotionally manipulative, its appeal is in the characters themselves. Delightfully flawed and realistic, especially Macy. Her curiously and honesty is refreshingly nostalgic. We have all, at one point in our life or another, been Macy.

Humor and heartbreak go hand in hand as the story unfolds. Macy is a pediatric resident whose past has scarred her heart. Battered from carrying a lifetime of anger and heartbreak, she has chosen a career that demands her emotional distance and a fiance who demands nothing from her. Seeing her ex-boyfriend and first love for the first time in eleven years effectively shatters Macy, sending her into a tailspin of emotion she has no idea how to handle. From there we watch and wait…knowing something horrible is coming because there are only a few things that could have separated these two.

“I know it wasn’t your fault, but for so long it felt like it was…”

Elliott is a sexy nerd whose love of books led him to Macy and the beginning of their epic friendship but it was his love for her that kept him there. Part of a large boisterous family, he swept Macy up into his orbit and never let her go. He has never stopped loving her and has no idea why she left him. He thinks he hurt her sexually but as the story unfolds, you realize that there was a lot of miscommunication, immaturity, fear, and some taking for granted in their relationship.

“I’m twenty-nine, and I’ve never loved another woman…and every woman I’ve been with knows it, unfortunately for them.”

Watching Macy and Elliott connect again is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. The chemistry between them is hot and sticky with emotional but there is a lot Macy needs to resolve and bring out into the open before she can move forward period, regardless if it is with Elliott or anyone else.

The personable cast of secondary characters helps to shape and mold the story with their own memories. Everyone in here from Macy’s father to Macy’s fiance’s little girl has some effect on Macy and Elliott’s life. I adored Macy’s father with his quiet love and huge heart. Macy’s bestie, Sabrina, is the voice of reason in Macy’s maelstrom. The Petropoulos family is a huge boisterous family whose unconditional love for Macy remains a constant.

The ending is predictable and somewhat rushed but very nice in how it plays out. Love and Other Words is an engaging contemporary that will have you smiling and sobbing as you watch Macy fight her way through memories, misconceptions, and heartache to her way back to life and love.

An enjoyable novella that revisits Ms. Carriger's Parasol Protectorate world with the wooing and romancing of a certain very grump gamma wolf and a yoAn enjoyable novella that revisits Ms. Carriger's Parasol Protectorate world with the wooing and romancing of a certain very grump gamma wolf and a young American woman for whom a moment of ill trust almost destroyed her. ...more